Martin F. CunniffMember

I joined Innovista in 2016 because I admired the firm’s vision of combining “big law” experience with “small firm” efficiency. A lawyer is supposed to “zealously” represent his or her client’s interests and Innovista’s innovative approach helps me do that efficiently and effectively. As a litigator and counselor, I want as many tools, and as few barriers, as possible to helping my clients achieve success.

I have been involved in dozens of trials, arbitrations, and regulatory hearings throughout the United States and around the world involving industries such as telecommunications, satellite communications, digital music, software and broadcasting. I have over twenty-five years of litigation experience including serving as chair of commercial litigation for the largest litigation firm in the world and a member of the largest unfair trade and competition practice. Much of my litigation experience has been as lead counsel in high exposure cases involving complex procedural mechanisms such as class actions.

Many of the cases I have litigated involved the use of complex economic or financial models to prove damages or set rates. I am the co-editor of Calculating and Proving Damages (Law Journal Press 2011), a leading treatise on damages. This treatise is unique because it reflects a collaboration between testifying experts and litigators, each of which bring their unique perspective to these critical issues.

I also have extensive experience in teaching trial advocacy, including training hundreds of litigators, instructing expert witnesses at the FBI Academy at Quantico, VA, and leading teams that won numerous national awards for training excellence.

Admissions

District of Columbia Bar

Maryland State Bar

Supreme Court of the United States

United States District Court, District of Colorado

United States District Court, District of Columbia

US Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit

US Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit

US Court of Appeals, 4th Circuit

US Court of Appeals, 10th Circuit

Education

University of Florida School of Law, JD (with high honors; Member, University of Florida Law Review), 1989

Loyola University, New Orleans, Louisiana, (BBA), 1983

Recent Speaking Engagements

"Updates from the Bar: TCPA Defense Counsel Discuss the Latest Trends in the Courts," PACE Webinar, July 2017

DAVID CARTER, MemberA founding member of Innovista Law, David Carter has extensive experience with telecommunications and commercial litigation, including disputes involving contract or tariff breach, torts, employment, and consumer protection claims.more >>

ERNESTO MENDIETA, Foreign Legal ConsultantErnesto Mendieta has five years of telecommunications and corporate law experience working as a Senior Associate for a top telecommunications law firm in Mexico City. He completed his LL.M. at Georgetown University, with an emphasis on U.S. and International Communications Law.more >>

JOHN NELSON, AssociatePreviously serving as the firm’s intern and summer associate, John joined Innovista Law as an Associate in 2017. This experience, along with his educational background in administrative law and regulatory compliance, has allowed him to quickly familiarize himself with various areas of telecommunications law, policy, and litigation.more >>